Most modern wars
are known by one name: World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam
War. The American Civil War, commonly called the Civil War, has
many names, especially in the states of the former Confederacy.
It is known as the War of Southern Secession, the War Between
the States, the War of Northern Aggression, the Second War of
Independence, and the Second American Revolution. more

A number of articles in this section cover the
introduction and spread of slavery below the Mason-Dixon line and
the gradual outlawing of slavery north of that line. Others
address the American Revolution...
>>

As with the war itself, battles had different
names. Whereas the South named them after the closest town, such
as Sharpsburg, the North often chose the closest river or
geographical landmark, such as Antietam Creek. >>

The most written about person in American history
is Abraham Lincoln. Our articles cover all aspects of his life:
from gawky rail-splitter to national icon. Although the first
Republican president...>>

All the major commanders are discussed in this section. Robert E.
Lee stands out as the preeminent Southern leader, followed by
Stonewall Jackson, James Longstreet, J.E.B. Stuart, and a host of
others.>>

These articles concentrate on the stories of the common soldier,
whether from the North or South. Most were farmers or came from
small towns. In the beginning, the prevailing opinion was that
the war would last three months
...>>

Although superficially begun as a fight over state’s rights, the
conflict eventually grew into a war to end slavery and make sure
that “all men are equal.” When the war began, there were few
blacks in the army, but by the end...>>

What happened to the North and South after the war? What about
future political leaders? Five future presidents – Grant, Hayes,
Garfield, Harrison, and McKinley – had been Union officers. And
what about the newly freed...>>

What was happening in Great Britain, France, Canada, Russia, and
other countries as they saw the American experiment in democracy
seeming to fall apart? Although no country officially recognized
the Confederacy...>>

What was happening to territories such as Montana, New Mexico, and
Colorado during the war? What was going on in Washington, D.C.,
and Richmond? How about the medical profession and nursing?
>>

The rotating Civil War
images above are presented courtesy of the Library of Congress and the
National Archives and Registration Administration.